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Hands up again, West Virginia ratepayers.
by frank young 06 Aug '16

06 Aug '16

Is this an admission that the "free market" does not work in the traditional electric power utility model? "Charles Jones, CEO of FirstEnergy, the parent company of MonPower and Potomac Edison, announced in an earnings call on July 29 that the coal-heavy utility would seek to remove itself completely from the competitive energy business and, in the meantime, would try to offload plants to regulated markets, where the company is guaranteed a profit." http://mynewsonthego.com/charleston/EPaper/?pageid=d33b9dcb-f8ef-4800-ab20-9 e327ee0ba1b FirstEnergy loses $1.1B 06 Aug 2016 - Charleston Gazette Mail By Andrew Brown Staff writer Firm eyes selling Pleasants plant to MonPower in 'de-risk' move After announcing a quarterlyhttps://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1031296/000103129616000101/ ex991fe-06302016.htm <http://mynewsonthego.com/charleston/EPaper/%3Ca%20href=> ">loss of $1.1 billion because of the future closures of two uncompetitive coal-fired power plants in Ohio, FirstEnergy says it will seek to "de-risk" by pushing plants onto electricity customers in states like West Virginia. Charles Jones, CEO of FirstEnergy, the parent company of MonPower and Potomac Edison,https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3005292-First-Energy-Earnings -Call-Q2-2016.html <http://mynewsonthego.com/charleston/EPaper/%3Ca%20href=> ">announced in an earnings call on July 29 that the coal-heavy utility would seek to remove itself completely from the competitive energy business and, in the meantime, would try to offload plants to regulated markets, where the company is guaranteed a profit. "Longer-term, we do not believe competitive generation is a good fit for FirstEnergy and we are focused on regulated operations," Jones said. "We cannot put investors and our company at risk." West Virginia likely will play a big part in that corporate strategy. Jones made it clear inhttps://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2841966-First-Energy-First-Quarter -2016-Earnings-Call.html <http://mynewsonthego.com/charleston/EPaper/%3Ca%20href=> ">another earnings call earlier this year that the Akron-based business wantshttp://www.wvgazettemail.com/article/20160312/GZ01/160319819 <http://mynewsonthego.com/charleston/EPaper/%3Ca%20href=> "> to sell the Pleasants power plant, north of Parkersburg, to its subsidiary companies in West Virginia. The proposed transfer of that coal-fired plant, which would shift the risk of the 36-year-old generating station off of investors and onto electricity customers in the northern half of the state, has already prompted opposition from groups like the Sierra Club, West Virginia Citizen Action Group and the state government's Consumer Advocate Division. Those groups took issue with the company's http://www.psc.state.wv.us/scripts/WebDocket/ViewDocument.cfm?CaseActivityID =441858 <http://mynewsonthego.com/charleston/EPaper/%3Ca%20href=> &NotType=%27WebDocket%27">integrated resource plan - a 15-year energy and demand forecast - that was presented to the West Virginia Public Service Commission earlier this year. The plan had reported that an existing coal-fired power plant (now known to be Pleasants) would be the cheapest generating option for customers and that electricity demand for MonPower and Potomac Edison was expected to increase by 2.2 percent, largely because of the natural gas industry in the state. Late this week, the Consumer Advocate Division and the https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3006112-PSC-Staff-and-CAD-Ask-for-Fi rstEnergy-RFP.html <http://mynewsonthego.com/charleston/EPaper/%3Ca%20href=> ">PSC's staff called on FirstEnergy to file a formal request for proposal that would require the company to compare other energy sources, including new or existing wind, solar and natural-gas plants. "The staff and CAD believes that these companies, especially in light of the inexorable collapse of the coal industry driven primarily by the availability of cheaper and more plentiful natural gas, continue to rely on acquisition practices that are not in the best interests of the consuming public and the economy of the state," their lawyers said. Results from the PJM Interconnection, a regional transmission organization that manages the energy market for 13 states, including West Virginia, seem to contradict the company's findings in its resource plan, too. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2842771-PJM-Market-Report-2015.html <http://mynewsonthego.com/charleston/EPaper/%3Ca%20href=> ">Market results show that, between 2014 and 2015, regional electricity sales from coal-fired power plants dropped by 17.8 percent in the PJM. Gas-fired power plants sold 28.4 percent more in 2015 than they did the year before, and evenhttps://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2842688-PJM-Capacity-Auction-Res ults-2019-2020.html <http://mynewsonthego.com/charleston/EPaper/%3Ca%20href=> ">more efficient gas-fired plants are set to come online in the coming years. The groups opposed to the transfer of Pleasants have argued that the sale of the plant would be a corporate bailout for the company's investors, at the expense of West Virginia electricity customers. The https://www.firstenergycorp.com/newsroom/news_releases/firstenergy-to-deacti vate-units-at-two-ohio-power-plants-.html <http://mynewsonthego.com/charleston/EPaper/%3Ca%20href=> ">closure of the company's two plants in Ohio resulted inhttps://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1031296/000103129616000095/ex991le ttertoinvestmentcom.htm <http://mynewsonthego.com/charleston/EPaper/%3Ca%20href=> ">$1.5 billion in charges and contract termination fees, or $2.99 per investment share. As a result, three of FirstEnergy's subsidiaries have been put on a credit watch by the ratings agency Standard and Poor's. Those subsidiaries soonhttps://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-Downgrades-FirstEnergy-Solutions- Corp-and-Allegheny-Energy-Supply-Co--PR_352838 <http://mynewsonthego.com/charleston/EPaper/%3Ca%20href=> ">could be downgraded to a "non-investment grade" rating. Comments by FirstEnergy's executives also call into question whether MonPower and Potomac Edison's demand for electricity is actually going to increase by 2.2 percent in the coming years. The company has cited that forecast demand as the reason it needs to purchase a plant the size of Pleasants. In the conference call, FirstEnergy officials said electricity demand among all of its affiliates had actually dropped by 2.7 percent in the past four months. The company had a similar decline in the first four months of 2016, and Jones described the company's future outlook for electricity demand as "anemic." James Pearson, FirstEnergy's executive vice president and chief financial officer, said any increase in electricity demand from the natural-gas industry had been offset by industrial declines in the steel and coal industries. He said energy efficiency measures - which have lagged behind in West Virginia - also were reducing residential demand in FirstEnergy's service territories. During the conference call, one investment analyst led off a testy question by saying it was obvious from Jones' tone that "frustration has gone to peak level" at FirstEnergy. Jones responded by downplaying the difficulties the market-based portion of the company is facing, and went on to lament the dipping regional energy prices that are https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2842790-Capacity-Changes-in-PJM.html <http://mynewsonthego.com/charleston/EPaper/%3Ca%20href=> ">largely being driven by new natural-gas turbines. "Is it frustrating that we're shutting down tens of thousands of megawatts of generation in our country that's got life left in it because of the way this market is working?" Jones said. "That is very frustrating to me." Reach Andrew Brown at andrew.brown(a)wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4814 or follow @Andy_Ed_Brown on Twitter.

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Fw: [WV Sierra Club Energy Efficiency Leaders] a bit dated but wanted to share this to the...
by James Kotcon 05 Aug '16

05 Aug '16

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Re: [EC] Van Nostrand & DSS report on WV CPP compliance
by James Kotcon 29 Jul '16

29 Jul '16

Something like half to two-thirds of the electricity generated in WV is exported. It is a major source of revenue for the state. Growing the renewables industry is a good way to retain that income stream, but the report suggests that renewables growth would be relatively slow. JBK On Thu, Jul 28, 2016 at 11:20 AM, Nachy Kanfer <nachy.kanfer(a)sierraclub.org> wrote: > Why does WV need to continue to be an electricity exporter? > > On Thu, Jul 28, 2016 at 10:17 AM, James Kotcon <jkotcon(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> This is the long-awaited update of their earlier report on how WV can >> comply with the Clean Power Plan. They used the Synapse Energy Clean Power >> Plan Planning Tool, an ExCel-based spreadsheet tool. Based on the newer >> targets in EPA's Final CPP Rule, it is difficult for WV to comply without >> new gas. Their scenarios include 5-15 % EE by 2030, 2.8 - 4.4 % non-hydor >> renewables by 2030, natural gas co-firing at two coal plants and 1235 MW of >> new natural gas by 2020 (a 750 MW gas plant in Brooke County and a 550 MW >> gas plant in Clarksburg are currently "under consideration" by Energy >> Solutions Consortium of New York). These are in addition to the 595 MW >> coming on line from the Moundsville plant in 2018. Under their scenarios, >> electricity exports would continue at 2012 levels through 2030. >> >> The full report (68 pages) is available at: >> >> >> http://www.downstreamstrategies.com/documents/reports_publication/expanding… >> >> I think we need a detailed review of this report, as I would prefer we >> not make the mistake of major investments in fossil fuels. >> >> >> Whaddya Tink? >> >> JBK >> > > > > -- > Nachy Kanfer > Deputy Director, East > Sierra Club Beyond Coal Campaign > (614) 625-3894 >

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ApCo files Wind Power Purchase Agreement case with WV PSC
by James Kotcon 28 Jul '16

28 Jul '16

Case # 16-1026 ApCo & Wheeling Power request approval of a Power Purchase Agreement for 120 MW of wind from Indiana, filed Tuesday, July 26. This appears to be a follow up from their RFP as indicated in the IRP JBK [image: PlattsLogo] 7/26/2016 *Appalachian and Wheeling Power diversify energy portfolio with new wind contract; seek PSC approval in West Virginia* CHARLESTON, W. Va., July 26, 2016 – Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power today filed with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (PSC) for approval of the long-term purchase of 120 megawatts (MW) of new wind generation. The 20-year purchased power agreement will increase the companies’ total wind generation to 495 MW and is consistent with its forward-looking Integrated Resource Plans (IRP) for service areas in West Virginia and Virginia. The renewable energy will be purchased from a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC. The energy will come from its planned Bluff Point Wind Energy Center to be constructed in Jay and Randolph Counties, Indiana. NextEra will own and operate the wind farm. The extension by Congress in November 2015 of the Wind Production Tax Credit provides cost advantages to wind energy resources constructed over the next five years and makes this agreement cost-effective for Appalachian Power customers. The new generation is expected to be available to Appalachian Power by 2018. In the filing with the PSC, the companies seek approval of the purchased power agreement and future cost recovery. A similar request was made to the Virginia State Corporation Commission last month. Appalachian selected the Indiana wind project as part of a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued earlier this year. The company received proposals from more than a dozen qualified wind farms. Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, delivering electricity and custom energy solutions to nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states. AEP owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a more than 40,000-mile network that includes more 765-kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined. AEP also operates 223,000 miles of distribution lines. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning approximately 31,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S.

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Van Nostrand & DSS report on WV CPP compliance
by James Kotcon 28 Jul '16

28 Jul '16

This is the long-awaited update of their earlier report on how WV can comply with the Clean Power Plan. They used the Synapse Energy Clean Power Plan Planning Tool, an ExCel-based spreadsheet tool. Based on the newer targets in EPA's Final CPP Rule, it is difficult for WV to comply without new gas. Their scenarios include 5-15 % EE by 2030, 2.8 - 4.4 % non-hydor renewables by 2030, natural gas co-firing at two coal plants and 1235 MW of new natural gas by 2020 (a 750 MW gas plant in Brooke County and a 550 MW gas plant in Clarksburg are currently "under consideration" by Energy Solutions Consortium of New York). These are in addition to the 595 MW coming on line from the Moundsville plant in 2018. Under their scenarios, electricity exports would continue at 2012 levels through 2030. The full report (68 pages) is available at: http://www.downstreamstrategies.com/documents/reports_publication/expanding… I think we need a detailed review of this report, as I would prefer we not make the mistake of major investments in fossil fuels. Whaddya Tink? JBK

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Attack on EPA rules for methane emissions
by James Kotcon 25 Jul '16

25 Jul '16

Lots of misused statistics here. http://www.wvgazettemail.com/daily-mail-commentary/20160725/drew-johnson-ep… [http://www.wvgazettemail.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CH/20160725/DM0403/1…]<http://www.wvgazettemail.com/daily-mail-commentary/20160725/drew-johnson-ep…> Drew Johnson: EPA's bogus attempt to restrict oil and gas (Daily Mail)<http://www.wvgazettemail.com/daily-mail-commentary/20160725/drew-johnson-ep…> www.wvgazettemail.com The Environmental Protection Agency just rewrote history. Anyone want to write a rebuttal? JBK

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Coal Isn't Over - Chris Hamilton
by James Kotcon 10 Jul '16

10 Jul '16

Here is today's Op/Ed from the WV Coal Association. He mentions Sierra Club by name. Anyone want to write a rebuttal? JBK (The WV Coal Association represents the owners. They profess great concern for mine workers, but then abandon them as soon as it is convenient). http://www.wvgazettemail.com/gazette-op-ed-commentaries/20160710/chris-hami… [http://www.wvgazettemail.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CH/20160710/GZ0405/1…]<http://www.wvgazettemail.com/gazette-op-ed-commentaries/20160710/chris-hami…> Chris Hamilton: Coal isn't over, despite hopeless commentary<http://www.wvgazettemail.com/gazette-op-ed-commentaries/20160710/chris-hami…> www.wvgazettemail.com I am forever amazed at the misinformation published about coal mining. Such was the case in a Sunday Gazette-Mail column by former Coalwood resident and retired Army Colonel Herman H. Jones (June 5), who offered only hopelessness as the future for West Virginia coal and the residents who mine it.

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Report ranks utilities by renewable energy and energy efficiency
by James Kotcon 01 Jul '16

01 Jul '16

This new report ranks the 30 largest utility holding companies, responsible for about 60 % of America's electricity, based on their renewables and energy efficiency. Interestingly, FirstEnergy ranks 12th for renewables, and 19th for energy efficiency, both well ahead of AEP. FE covers utilities in MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA and WV. Guess which state is dragging down FE's rankings! http://www.ceres.org/industry-initiatives/electric-power/clean-energy-utili… Jim Kotcon

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WV 303(d) list - Comments to EPA due July 5
by James Kotcon 27 Jun '16

27 Jun '16

Are we following this issue? Is anyone preparing comments? https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/supporting-documents-proposed-additions-west-virgi… Jim Kotcon P.S. As you may recall, WV-DEP submitted an abbreviated list of streams to EPA, arguing that the Legislature had directed them to "study" the issues of conductivity, TDS and various related narrative standards. EPA on May 11 partially disapproved the list: "...to the extent that it omits waters due to WVDEP's decision not to evaluate existing and readily available data regarding whether certain waters are achieving West Virginia's narrative water quality criteria (W. Va. CSR§ 47-2-3.2(e) & (i)) as applied to aquatic life. "

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Does WSJ Fake a Green Shift Toward Nuclear Power?
by frank young 25 Jun '16

25 Jun '16

"Central to the story is the contention that prominent eco-advocacy groups, including Sierra, EDF and the Natural Resources Defense Council, are among those working with Exelon and state lawmakers on a legislative deal that would reverse a decision the company made in early June to close two money-losing nuclear reactors, Quad Cities and Clinton, and "ensure that the reactors remain in operation by providing financial recognition for the zero-carbon electricity they produce." http://fair.org/home/wsj-fakes-a-green-shift-toward-nuclear-power/ "But major assertions in the Journal article turn out to be either factually inaccurate, or to omit or spin important details. First, though Harder refers multiple times to nuclear power being "carbon-free" (echoing the websites of nuclear plant owners such as <http://www.exeloncorp.com/companies/exelon-generation/nuclear/Pages/default .aspx> Exelon and <http://www.pge.com/en/safety/systemworks/dcpp/index.page?WT.mc_id=Vanity_di ablocanyon> Pacific Gas & Electric), that is not the case." Frank Young

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